Photo By Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos | U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Edward Greeley serves his Marines dinner during a Warrior’s...... read more read more
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BRIDGEPORT, Calif. – After weeks of arduous training during Mountain Exercise 2014, Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment gathered on an airfield, aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, to reflect on the significance of their accomplishment.
“Marines, no one can take away what you’ve accomplished here,” said Lt. Col. Edward Greeley, commanding officer, 3/1, as he addressed the battalion. “You’ve given it your all, and it’s showed. The [15th Marine Expeditionary Unit] is gaining an invaluable asset capable of accomplishing any task at hand.”
Marines with 3/1 will become the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s ground combat element in October. Mountain Exercise 2014 developed critical skills the battalion will need during deployment.
Specifically, the training ensures the Marines are prepared for mountainous terrain if the need arises while deployed next year.
The success of the training came as a direct result of coordination within the battalion.
“We did a lot of preparation for this training,” said Master Sgt. Robert Bell, operations chief, 3/1. “That helped us tremendously, and allowed the Marines to focus on their training once we got out here.”
Marines experienced a high-tempo environment, and overcame operational and logistical problems that may arise during their pre-deployment training.
“It’s all about making sure we’re ready, and it gives us an opportunity to iron out any problems we could potentially face during training,” said 1st Lt. Robert Donovan, logistics officer, 3/1. “I don’t want us to come across a problem, and not know how to handle it. The Marines have done a great job of identifying trouble spots and just carrying out the mission.”
Marines with the communications section took advantage of the mountainous environment to test their knowledge and capabilities.
“Our job out here is to make sure the companies have communications capabilities to each other and to any support elements they may need,” Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Weber, battalion radio chief, 3/1. “It’s a different terrain out here than we’re used to in [Camp Pendleton], and the Marines have had to learn how to overcome that. The mountains make it harder to keep solid communications, and the Marines have had to learn how to fix it; what works and what doesn’t. So this really has been great for us, since we don’t know the environments we’re going to be asked to go to, but I’m confident the Marines will know how to establish [communications] and sustain it anywhere we go.”
Marines from the administrative section also contributed to the success and benefited from Mountain Exercise 2014.
“With so many Marines out here in different training areas, it’s important we maintain accountability of everyone,” said 1st Lt. Ferrell Koassechoney, adjutant, 3/1. “When we push out to the MEU our Marines are going to be spread out and it can get pretty hectic. The commander has to know where all of his Marines are, and we’re here to make sure he knows where they are and what they’re doing.”
In addition to doing their primary jobs, Marines from all sections benefited from the training exercises as well.
“We were able to push out Marines from all sections to participate in different training exercises,” Bell said. “It gets them out of their comfort zone, and gives them a feel for what they are working for. They have a better understanding of how important their job is to the success of the unit.”
With Mountain Exercise 2014 completed, Marines from 3/1 celebrated their accomplishments with a Warrior’s Night, were Marines reminisced and told stories of the experiences they faced during the training.
“This is a great way to thank them for their hard work,” Bell said. “Everyone gave a max effort and we’re that much more prepared to do what the MEU asks of us.”
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2014 17:04 |
| Story ID: | 142455 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 338 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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